Chapter 492

Time enters the end of November.

In the film market, "Tai Chi 2" has completely extinguished its fire.

After three weeks of release, the box office barely broke 70 million, and the single-day box office has already fallen below one million.

Huayi has decisively given up and is fully busy preparing for the premiere of "Back to 1942," while also creating momentum for "Chinese Zodiac."

"Everyone knows that Cheng Long is a legend among Chinese filmmakers. A film he participates in means a classic. This New Year slot, 'Chinese Zodiac' will definitely bring everyone unparalleled surprises!"

People in the industry are teasing that in terms of ability, Wang Zhonglei might not be ranked, but in terms of thick-skinnedness, he is definitely in the top three in the industry.

This f*cking guy just acted as a traitor, and he actually acts like nothing happened. Who can compare?

Just at this time, the first blockbuster of the New Year slot, and also the last Hollywood blockbuster of the end of the year, "Life of Pi," was released.

From the data disclosed by the cinema chains, in the situation where all other films are dragging their feet, the screening rate of Li An's "Life of Pi" is as high as 35%, which is quite astonishing.

What makes the industry most amazed is that even with such a high screening rate, this film is still hard to get a ticket for, especially the IMAX halls, which actually formed long lines on weekdays.

People in the industry have a premonition that after the first-day box office and word-of-mouth come out tomorrow, perhaps the box office of "Life of Pi" will soar straight up, and the screening rate will further rise.

You have to know, the New Year slot is a place of four battles, and the competition is quite fierce. Films with poor quality are almost difficult to survive.

And a head film like "Life of Pi" will produce a very strong siphon effect, completely leaving no room for other garbage films to survive.

Wei Jin's side set off three days before the awards ceremony.

Regarding this, the rest of the crew had no objections.

Whether it was Xu Yajun, Jiang Shan, or Zhang Songwen, they all belong to low-key, powerful actors and do not pursue exposure on the red carpet.

As for Bai Yu and Jing Tian, both are still filming in the crew and simply don't have that much time to waste on the red carpet.

After noon, the group arrived at the airport, and the reporters waiting there instantly surrounded them.

"Director Wei, do you have confidence in the Golden Horse Awards this time?"

"Man proposes, God disposes." Wei Jin responded with a smile.

"Teacher Jiang Shan, what about you? You have won the Feitian Award, the Huading Award Best Actress Award, and the Shanghai Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Award. Do you have confidence this time?"

"Hmm, to obtain is my luck, to lose is my fate. Everything depends on fate, heh..."

"Teacher Zhang Songwen, you are going to the Golden Horse this time..."

After dealing with the long-winded reporters, the group quickened their pace and walked inside.

Because many pedestrians had gathered around, wanting autographs and photos, if they were blocked here, the impact would be somewhat bad.

On the private jet, Wei Jin appreciated the scenery outside the window; the weather was indeed good.

After the initial shock, the creators came back to their senses and began to chat. After all, it was a three-hour journey, and there was no need to rest.

"Xiaobai, how is 'About Time' filming? It's been almost a month, right?"

Zhang Songwen, as the company's training teacher, is quite familiar with Bai Yu, so he asked curiously.

"Teacher Zhang, it's only about halfway through filming."

"How does it feel?"

"Not bad, the script is quite good. First love, true love, my character's luck with women is quite good, haha."

"Fine, then you have to grasp it. Maybe among the collaborating actors, there is one suitable for you..."

Chatting about this topic, Jiang Shan instantly got into the spirit. After all, those in the know all know that matchmaking is almost an instinct for middle-aged women.

"Heh heh, teachers, you don't know yet, this kid, last time when he went to the Beijing Film Academy for promotion, he fell in love with a girl..."

"Really? President Wei?"

Zhang Songwen and Xu Yajun, two thick-browed and big-eyed men, also got into the spirit.

"I don't know if the relationship is confirmed, but I heard from Guo Fan that the little girl often comes to visit the set..."

After Wei Jin finished speaking, he teased Bai Yu, who was somewhat embarrassed: "Right, Xiaobai?"

"It's not like that, President Wei. She is a friend who came to visit the set of 'iPartment 3'."

"Oh? If you say that, I know who it is. A Beijing Film Academy graduate, visiting the actor of 'iPartment 3', hahaha."

"Xiaobai, you've confessed without being asked, haha."

Not only did Wei Jin laugh, but Xu Yajun and Zhang Songwen also laughed along, and Jiang Shan even had a motherly smile.

In a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, three hours passed quickly, and the plane landed.

A group of ten or so people pushed their suitcases and walked out of the airport.

This was Wei Jin's second time coming here. The first time was 6 years ago, when he won the Best Film and Best Actress awards here.

"Hello, President Wei."

Following the shouting, Wei Jin saw the staff members who had come over in advance from the company.

After the group merged, nearly 20 people marched toward the outside of the airport. Six of the latest Mercedes-Benz 350s stood there like loyal guards.

After the group got into the cars, they headed straight for Yilan, Taiwan—the host of this Golden Horse Awards.

At this time, some local media near the airport didn't seem to have reacted yet, only seeing some mainland counterparts with shutters flying in their hands.

"Who was that big tycoon from the mainland just now?"

"Ignorant, that's the Palme d'Or and Golden Bear winner, Oscar director Wei Jin and the members of the 'Bottom-tier Girl' crew..."

The Sina reporter on the side popularized science while complaining about the Taiwan counterparts.

In a short while, media reports appeared online.

"Mainland big director Wei Jin, accompanied by the four leads of the 'Bottom-tier Girl' crew, arrived at the Golden Horse today!"

"Due to filming tasks, the female lead of 'Bottom-tier Girl,' Jing Tian, could not accompany them..."

Wei Jin's side was still in the car when he received a call.

"Brother Hua, I just landed, and your call came. The news is quite well-informed, haha."

"Haha, there are quite a few reporters at the airport; whoever comes can't run away. But you came a bit late this time. According to the rules, I can't receive you..."

"Brother Hua is being too polite, isn't he?"

Wei Jin understood very well. After the opening ceremony, as a member of the jury, he could not meet with the nominees in private; he had to wait until the afternoon of the closing ceremony.

"However, Director Li An has already prepared a welcome banquet at the hotel to greet you on my behalf."

"Then thank you for Brother Hua's arrangement."

Not long after hanging up the phone, the motorcade arrived in Yilan County. Wei Jin could already see a large number of film festival promotional posters and banners through the window.

The motorcade stopped at the hotel entrance. Wei Jin and his group got out of the car and met Li An face-to-face, along with many people from the Taiwan circle and media reporters.

"Welcome, Director Wei and everyone, to the Golden Horse. You've had a hard journey."

Many reporters only then suddenly realized that the person who could make Li An come to greet him personally was indeed not an ordinary person.

It turned out to be the youngest Palme d'Or and Golden Bear winner in the mainland, an Oscar big director, and the hegemon of the mainland entertainment circle. "Director Li, you are too polite."

Wei Jin greeted, and the subsequent crew members also offered greetings.

"Director Wei, let's go. Many counterparts here are waiting to see your style." Li An blew a not-too-high, not-too-low compliment.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Today I will listen to Director Li's arrangement, haha."

At the welcome banquet, cups were exchanged, and it was lively and extraordinary.

Li An, sitting in the main seat, raised his glass.

"This glass of wine is to wish Director Wei and all the friends who have been nominated a full harvest at the awards ceremony in a few days!"

Wei Jin also raised his glass and responded with a smile: "Thank you, Director Li. I am also looking forward to it."

The rest of the people also raised their glasses in thanks.

I thought it was just chatting and reminiscing, but I didn't expect Li An to talk about an unexpected topic.

"The organizing committee found me a few days ago. If there are no accidents, I will be the chairman of the Golden Horse Awards jury next year."

"Oh? Then congratulations to Director Li in advance."

After Wei Jin congratulated him, the others also followed suit, in unison.

"Congratulations, Director Li."

Li An looked at Wei Jin with a smile: "Director Wei, if there are suitable works next year, I hope you will continue to support us. Of course, if not, why not come and be a presenter once?"

These words left Wei Jin speechless for a while. After a pause, he shook his head and laughed: "Director Li, whether it's participating or presenting, the time is too far away. I can't promise for the time being. Please forgive me."

"Haha, also, it was my abruptness. Then let's talk about it next year."

Li An laughed at himself, then smiled and greeted everyone: "Come, everyone try this local specialty dish that just came up..."

"Good, I haven't tasted Taiwan's specialties for many years."

"Then Director Wei might as well come as a guest often in the future, haha."

The welcome banquet continued. Except for Bai Yu, a novice with no experience, who kept trying various dishes.

The rest, such as Wei Jin, Jiang Shan, and Xu Yajun, were all pondering Li An's words just now.

According to the practice of the Golden Horse Awards, most of those invited to be presenters are winners from the previous year.

The meaning in Li An's words is worth pondering.

Just as Wei Jin was thinking, someone else came to toast.

"President Wei, hello, long time no see..."

"Producer Chai, long time no see, your style is still the same."

The person in front of Wei Jin was exactly Chai Zhiping, who was known as the mother of Taiwan idol dramas and had met once at Wu Dun's dinner party back then.

It's just that because of gender reasons that time, she didn't participate in the subsequent activities.

Speaking of which, Chai Zhiping is very capable and has been involved in the film and television entertainment industry since the 80s.

After the new century, she began independent production and successively produced many classic blockbuster idol drama works, such as "Meteor Garden," "It Started with a Kiss," "Corner with Love," and so on.

In recent years, she has also been developing toward film production, and that film "Tiny Times" was produced by her.

However, Chai Zhiping's most powerful talent is in artist management, especially good at bringing small fresh meat.

The F4 that was popular back then, except for Jerry Yan who was slightly related to the entertainment industry, the rest were all ordinary people.

Vic Chou was a young man accompanying a friend to audition; Vanness Wu was a fitness coach; Ken Chu was even worse—he was just a barbecue seller.

As a result, after her creation, they directly swept across Asia.

Wei Jin is also good at promoting people, arguably the biggest thigh in the mainland entertainment industry, professionally bringing girls to the top.

In recent years, the small actresses who have made a name for themselves in the mainland are almost all inextricably linked to him, including the most popular new generation from Hong Kong, Angelababy.

So what this Taiwan idol godmother wants to do is obvious.

Unsurprisingly, after the pleasantries, Chai Zhiping began to introduce the two artists behind her.

"President Wei, these are our company's artists, Chen Bolin and Ariel Lin."

"President Wei, hello." X2 "Hmm, hello."

Chen Bolin collaborated with Fan Bingbing on "Buddha Mountain" and also appeared in the idol drama "In Time with You," which is quite influential in Taiwan, so he is not unknown in the entertainment industry.

It was the fresh and refined beauty next to him that Wei Jin found more familiar the more he looked at her. He tentatively asked: "Are you the female lead of 'Monga'?"

"Director Wei, have you seen it too?"

Ariel Lin was somewhat excited. She had been in the industry for many years and only had this one work that could be brought out. She didn't expect that the handsome mainland big director and big tycoon in front of her had actually seen it.

"Heh, I still pay attention to the award-winning films of the Golden Horse Awards..."

This film "Monga" was the film that caused a mess when Ning Hao came to present the award back then. Taiwan forcibly let Ethan Juan take the Best Actor award.

At that time, Wei Jin watched it out of curiosity and had a slight impression of the female lead.

Chai Zhiping on the side saw that Wei Jin seemed interested and hurriedly pulled Ariel Lin over.

"President Wei, little Ke is quite diligent, and her acting is not bad. If there is a suitable role, try her drama. She has a schedule anytime and doesn't need a salary."

When Chai Zhiping spoke, a flash of memory seemed to pass through her eyes. When they first met, Wei Jin could only be considered a rising star in the mainland.

But who would have thought that in just a few years, this man in front of her would start from scratch, build a huge entertainment empire, and achieve many results in commercial box office and award honors, gorgeously transforming into the undisputed hegemon of the mainland entertainment industry.

For Chai Zhiping, if she could catch Wei Jin's line through an artist, it would be too cost-effective.

"Producer Chai is too polite, definitely if there is an opportunity."

Wei Jin pretended not to understand the hint and nodded perfunctorily.

Honestly, this girl's performance in "Monga" was okay, but her appearance had no characteristics, and it was hard to become popular.

As for her figure and such, it wasn't the type Wei Jin liked, so there was no need to spend effort.

The welcome banquet ended, and it was already past eight in the evening. After refusing Chai Zhiping's next invitation, Wei Jin returned to the hotel room.

Just as he opened the door, a fragrant wind rushed toward him. It was exactly Angelababy, who had already bathed and changed clothes and had been waiting for a long time.

That film "The Bullet Vanishes" also won several nominations this time, and Angelababy had made an appointment with Wei Jin early on.

"Wei Sheng, I miss you so much~~"

Not seeing each other for half a year, Angelababy had long been unable to hold back. Just breathing the man's scent made her feel her body starting to cry.

"Hmm, I'll feed you well tonight..."

While speaking, Wei Jin had already untied the girl's bathrobe, and his hands began to wander over the fiery, delicate body.

(End of chapter)